New Growing Dome at Des Moines Shelter to Feed and Teach

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DES MOINES, Iowa - There's a giant dome being built in the backyard of the Central Iowa Shelter & Services Center, and it's going to benefit the organization - and those who utilize it - in more than one way.

The "growing dome", as it's called, will be a year-round greenhouse for the center. The food from the dome will supplement the kitchen at the homeless shelter, but it will also provide a space for paid training programs for the center's clients; citizens can learn how to maintain a greenhouse and grow their own gardens, so as to develop valuable skills in the process.

"We're an opportunity center. We are more than just a homeless shelter," said AJ Olson, the Assistant Manager to the shelter. "We're a place - yes - that people can come eat and sleep, but we have a food pantry, a clothing closet, a classroom, we have classes that are offered here. We have apartments. So we really want this to be a place where people can come and receive assistance to move beyond where they're at."

The dome's construction is entirely based on volunteers, and it's expected to be finished by Saturday.